The 2023 Scottish Challenge Cup final, also known as the SPFL Trust Trophy final for sponsorship reasons,[1] was a football match that took place on 26 March 2023 between Raith Rovers and Hamilton Academical.[2] It was the 30th final of the Scottish Challenge Cup since it was first organised in 1990 to celebrate the centenary of the now defunct Scottish Football League, and the eighth since the SPFL was formed. It also marked the return of non-Scottish teams to the competition for the first time since the 2019–20 edition.[3]
| Event | 2022–23 Scottish Challenge Cup | ||||||
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| Date | 26 March 2023 | ||||||
| Venue | Falkirk Stadium, Falkirk | ||||||
| Referee | Colin Steven | ||||||
| Attendance | 5,566 | ||||||
Route to the final
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The competition is a knock-out tournament and was contested by 49 teams from Scotland in 2022–23, as well as 2 teams each from Wales and Northern Ireland respectively.[3]
Raith Rovers
editAs a 2021–22 Scottish Championship club, Raith Rovers were given a bye to the third round. The 2023 final was Raith's fourth Challenge Cup final and third consecutive final, having split the 2020 edition with Inverness Caledonian Thistle after the final was postponed indefinitely due to the COVID-19 pandemic,[4] and were reigning champions after winning the 2022 edition against Queen of the South.[5] They also won the 2014 final against Rangers, making them undefeated in all four finals they had been involved in prior.[6]
| Round | Opposition | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Third round | Cove Rangers (a) | 1–0 |
| Fourth round | Greenock Morton (h) | 1–1 (a.e.t.) 4–2 (p) |
| Quarter-final | Queen's Park (a) | 1–0 |
| Semi-final | Dundee (a) | 2–2 (a.e.t.) 4–3 (p) |
Hamilton Academical
editAs a 2021–22 Scottish Championship club, Hamilton Academical were given a bye to the third round. This was Hamilton's first Challenge Cup final since the 2012 edition.[7] The 2023 final was Hamilton's fifth Challenge Cup final, having won the cup in 1991 and 1992, and finishing as runners-up in 2005 and 2012.[8][9]
| Round | Opposition | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Third round | Rangers B (a) | 3–0 |
| Fourth round | Inverness Caledonian Thistle (h) | 2–0 |
| Quarter-final | Clyde (h) | 3–2 |
| Semi-final | Queen of the South (h) | 2–1 (a.e.t.) |
Match details
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        Raith Rovers
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   Hamilton Academical
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Match rules
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References
edit- ^ "Challenge Cup to be rebranded SPFL Trust Trophy from season 2021/22". The Edinburgh Reporter. 15 October 2020. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
- ^ "Raith Rovers 0–1 Hamilton Academical". BBC Sport. 26 March 2022. Retrieved 27 March 2022.
- ^ a b "Cross-border clubs make return to SPFL Trust Trophy with Courier columnist picked to do first-round draw". www.thecourier.co.uk. The Courier. 29 June 2022. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
- ^ Coyle, Andy (30 April 2021). "Inverness and Raith named as joint winners of 2020 Challenge Cup". STV News. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
- ^ "Raith beat Queens to claim SPFL Trust Trophy". BBC Sport. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
- ^ "Raith Rovers 1-0 Rangers (aet)". BBC Sport. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
- ^ "Falkirk 1-0 Hamilton Accies". BBC Sport. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
- ^ Academy (25 March 2023). "Our last two winning squads..." Hamilton Academical Website. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
- ^ "St Mirren 2-1 Hamilton Accies". 6 November 2005. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
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